Verna Verona Woodward Weatherly

Verna Verona Woodward Weatherly, 103, of Tucson, Arizona, died Friday, February 20, 2009, in Tucson. She was born January 24, 1906, in the Milldale community near Callaway, Nebraska, to Jess and Rosetta Woodward. The Woodward family land rushed in 1880, by Jason Woodward, Verna’s grandpa. Verna’s great-great-grandma was Annie Ortenta Kneeland, part Indian, she was married to J. Elisha Woodward. We believe Verna lived to the oldest age of all the Woodward family. Her folks came to Nebraska in covered wagons. Her mom was born in a dugout. There were many hard times but good pioneer stock carried them through. Verna moved with her family to the sod home north of Callaway in 1919. She married Ross J. Weatherly on August 8, 1925. They were blessed to share 68 years together before Ross passed away in 1993. They had eight children; Lula Mary, Rosezella Rosetta, Dick Ross, Betty Jean, Bonnie Lou, Shirley Ileen, Jerry Edward and Gary Lee. They spent their life on the farm until 1966, when they sold the farm and moved to Tucson, Arizona where most of the kids lived. Verna was a wonderful homemaker and mother. After the couple moved to Tucson, she joined Helping Hands in 1967, at Christ Church United Methodist; she crocheted poncho sweaters for children in the community center missions. She helped make patch work quilts and crocheted hundreds of lap robes for nursing homes, veteran’s homes and Pima County health care. She will be so missed by her loving family which includes, Lula Pitts, Rosezella Price, Dick & Dee Weatherly, Bonnie & Dale Bubak, Betty Martin, Shirley & Roger Brestel, Jerry & Eileen Weatherly, Gary Weatherly, 23 grandchildren & spouses and 35 great-grandchildren & spouses and 7 great-great-grandchildren. One brother-in-law, John Weatherly and his wife Evelyn, sister-in-law, Wanda Weatherly and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death were her husband, Ross Weatherly; her parents, Jess & Rosetta Woodward; brothers, Ralph, Jess (Francis), Merrill(Esther), Frank, Elmer (Sonny), 2 grandchildren and 3 sons-in-law and four brothers-in-law. Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 2, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Callaway, Nebraska with Reverend Jerry Schwarz officiating. Burial will be in the Waldheim Cemetery near Callaway, Nebraska. A Memorial Has been Established. Visitation will held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences or guest book signatures may be directed to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.